Door threshold adjustment

Door Threshold Adjustment

I recently “talked” (via facebook’s private text feature) my daughter through the process of adjusting her front door threshold, in an effort to keep out invading beetles. While I was going over some of the finer points of adjusting the door threshold, I realized how often I preformed this service for my clients. Since she was so successful in adjusting her front door threshold, I thought it would make a good post on my blog, so here goes.

Not every threshold is adjustable, but for those that are, proper door threshold adjustment will lead to longer life, less wear, a weather tight seal and most importantly a door that opens and closes easily.

If your door is drafty along the bottom, allows light to show underneath or admits bugs or spiders the door threshold needs adjusting or, on non adjustable thresholds, replacing.

To determine if a door threshold is adjustable look for several dime sized snap out caps along the tallest part of the threshold . Beneath these caps are brass screws that adjust the threshold up and down. On some door thresholds the screws are always visible. Tuning them in one direction will raise the threshold the other direction will lower it.

Steps for proper door threshold adjustment

Before attempting any adjustment, close the door and observe the rubber sweep on the bottom of the door. It should be barely touching the adjustable part of the threshold. This can be ascertained by placing a light source on the opposite side of the door and looking for light seeping under. Alternately a piece of paper may be placed over the threshold of the door while it’s in the open position and then closing the door over it. If light is visible under the door or the paper moves easily along the bottom of the door, the threshold is not fitting tight enough. If the paper is torn when closing the door or the door is too difficult to close the threshold may be too tight.

The bottom of the door should have some type of sweep (rubber gasket or fins) that are slightly compressed as the door is closed over the threshold. It is possible that the threshold is tight enough in some areas and has a gap in others. The adjustment screws must be utilized to bring the adjustable part of the threshold parallel with the bottom of the door and just snug enough to seal without binding the door when it is being closed.

Tips for proper door threshold adjustment:

don’t make any adjustment until you are sure it is required

determine a plan of action – don’t just start turning screws

make small adjustments and check for proper closure after each adjustment.

make sure the door threshold is adjusted properly along it”s entire length

DO NOT adjust the threshold up too much. If the door closes too tight it will result in excessive wear and premature failure of the door sweep.

Did you enjoy this post? Tell us what you think in the comments box below.

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About Tony Wood

Tony is a life time resident of North Carolina with over 30 years experience in multiple facets of the industrial, commercial and residential construction industry. For the past 23 years he has owned and operated Wood's Home Maintenance Service, providing services primarily in Johnston, Wake and Sampson Counties of North Carolina. ______________ ______________________________________________________ The information contained in this Blog is opinion derived, from hands on experience of over 30 years in the construction industry and by extensive research by the author. All postulations are referenced to the geographic location in which this experience was gained.

8 Responses to Door threshold adjustment

This is all great and very understandable except for one thing. Which way do you turn the screw to raise the threshold and which way to lower it. I have found sometimes that screwing it right (which should lower it) actually raises it and vice versa. It would be of utmost help if that critical piece of advice was present as well. Thank you.

I have a rule of thumb that I always follow. If I turn the adjustment screw one way and the threshold moves in an undesired direction I just turn the screw in the other direction. This seems to work without fail.

I have a metal threshhold. A metal piece along the bottom of the door is rubbing on the threshhold, making noise and damaging the threshhold. The threshhold is not adjustable and the piece on the door does not appear to be adjustable (no elongated holes). The hinges appear to be tight and the door works well otherwise.

What now? Sand bottom of door and redrill attachment holes for piece on door?

I would attempt to ascertain the reason the door is dragging along the bottom before attempting any repairs. You may have a sagging floor or a settled foundation that is a bigger problem than the sagging door. I would try shimming the bottom and middle hinges out a bit before I sanded the door. That may lift the bottom enough that it closes properly again. This post about sagging door adjustment may help you determine the problem with your door.

All of my exterior doors have this exact threshold. Although I have periodically treated them after 20 years all of the thresholds are rotted and in need of replacement. I have not seen these at the local home improvement stores for replacement. Can you provide me with a brand name or source for these items? What is the correct procedure for replacing them? Thank you for your help.

Check with the millwork department in your local building supply or big box store for help in finding a threshold. It is often more economical to replace the entire door unit than just the threshold. This post about replacing a threshold may help you determine the correct course of action for repairing your doors